Sales-tax opponent says group snubbed

A vocal opponent of a proposed one-cent sales tax to benefit Morgan County school districts is questioning why he has been denied the opportunity to present his views at a public forum next week.

The president of the Morgan County League of Women Voters, which is sponsoring a candidates’ forum, explained that the event will include a presentation on the sales tax referendum that will be on the Nov. 4 ballot, but its focus will be on the candidates for Morgan County commissioner and 100th District state representative.

The forum will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Municipal Building at 200 W. Douglas Ave.

But Lonnie Johns, spokesman for the FACTS Steering Committee, said he was told by the coordinator of the candidates’ forum that “he could only be a member of the audience and ask a short, written question, but would not be allowed an equal position on the program.” Johns’ group opposes the School District 117 plan, which would be financed by the sales tax increase.

Johns founded FACTS in 2002 to raise questions about a property tax referendum proposed that year by School District 117 to, in part, move all district sixth-graders to Turner Junior High School.

“It does not benefit the public to have a one-sided presentation without someone providing an alternative view,” Johns said. “It is rather shocking that an organization with the reputation of the League of Women Voters would deny a group spokesman, who holds an opposing view, to express that view at a public forum.”

Johns said no one has produced any research showing that a move from the neighborhood elementary schools to Turner would benefit the students academically.

Part of the money from the increased sales tax would be used to renovate Turner, as well as build an addition for the sixth-graders.

Johns said the district has tried to move the sixth-graders previously, but parents and community members have expressed their dislike of the move, arguing that that neighborhood schools are safer, closer and allowed for more parental involvement.

“The dispute between neighborhood schools and attendance centers has been going on for years,” Johns said. “In all that time, neighborhood schools have always won.”

The committee members also believe that the school board is not managing the money it already receives in the best way, spending money on things that do not benefit the students. The group also contends the district pays too much for outside services, instead of hiring someone to handle things inside the district.

Johns said until the district can manage their current funds wisely, the sales tax increase should not be passed.

The referendum, if passed, would raise about $2.2 million a year.

League of Women Voters President Helen Baldwin emphasized that while there would be a presentation on the one-cent sales tax, the meeting will focus on the candidates for county commissioner — Ginny Fanning and Bob Large — and candidates for state representative for the 100th District — C.D. Davidsmeyer and Josh Evans.

“The main purpose of this meeting is to have a candidates’ forum,” Baldwin said. “It is not a meeting to discuss all the issues, at length, that are going to be on the Nov. 4 ballot. Mr. Johns can certainly attend and talk with anyone after the meeting, like anyone else can. The League of Women of Voters holds meetings throughout the year that cover issues of public interest, and we already held one on the proposed sales tax.”

Baldwin said local candidates who have no opposition will be introduced at the candidates’ forum and will be available to answer questions after the forum.

“We have several issues that are going to be voted on by the people [on Nov. 4], including the proposed sales tax,” Baldwin said. “We will have some people there who will explain the sales tax. It’s an informational meeting.”

The Morgan County League of Women Voters recently endorsed the proposed sales tax.

“Traditionally, the League of Women Voters, nationally and by state, have positions they have adopted on issues that affect the public,” Baldwin said.

—

Greg Olson can be reached at 217-245-6121, ext. 1224, or on Twitter @JCNews_Greg.